Philippine tribal leader's wife, sons killed: Army

MANILA - The wife and two young sons of a Philippine tribal leader who is wanted for attacks on a US$5.9-billion (S$7.2 billion) mine project were killed during an army raid on his hideout, the military said on Friday.

Seven soldiers engaged in a shoot-out with the tribal leader and his armed followers on Thursday at a mountain hut, unaware that the man's family was with him, said military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lyndon Paniza.

"They (the soldiers) are under investigation for possible lapses in the rules of engagement," Mr Paniza told reporters.